Use of Restricted Collections

Several collections and items in the Wilson Library have restrictions to use or access. The list of collections below is not exhaustive, so please consult with our staff if you have questions.

North Carolina Collection and Rare Book Collection

There are restrictions on photographing the C. S. Lewis and Walker Percy Collections, and on viewing the Wolfe Family Papers (CW) and John Skally Terry Papers on Thomas Wolfe (CW1). In order to access or use any items in these collections, you must provide us with a letter of permission from the author’s estate.

If you do not have the contact address for the estate, please contact us at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu and we can provide this information for you. Please send your letter of permission to wilsonlibrary@unc.edu in advance of your visit. Our staff will then contact the estate to confirm your permission. Permission will be approved after we receive confirmation from the estate.

When asking the estate for permission, indicate the dates of the visit as well as a list of what materials you hope to view/photograph during your visit. Permission letters will expire after the end date stated in the letter. If no end date is given, letters will expire six months after the date of the letter. You will need to request new permission from the estate on any subsequent visits.

Archival Collections:

Southern Folklife Collection

Southern Historical Collection

University Archives

North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives

Collection access and use restrictions are detailed in finding aids for the individual collections. Please see the “Information for Users” section of the finding aids, specifically the “Restrictions to Access” and “Restrictions to Use” sections. For any questions related to these restrictions, please email us at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu.